EP 6. How Do I Get Reviews On Etsy? | Etsy Tips for New Sellers

WYW 2: In this episode I'm answering the Etsy question "How Do I Get Reviews on Etsy?"  Whether you're brand new with zero sales or just struggling to get your first reviews, I'm breaking down the right way to ask — and what Etsy's own policy says about it. Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? Submit it at melissacarroll.co/question

Free Resource: Review Request Message Templates

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

Hey there and welcome to the Modern Etsy Seller Podcast and What You're Wondering, the segment where I answer one specific Etsy question in under five minutes. I'm Melissa, a busy working mom with two profitable Etsy shops, and I'm here to help you build yours. Let's dive in. Today's question is how do I get reviews? Reviews are one of the classic chicken and egg problems of Etsy. Reviews help you get sales, but you need sales to get reviews. Two things to keep in mind when you're just starting out and don't have any reviews yet. First, people buy things without reviews all the time on Etsy and everywhere else. So while it may stop some buyers, if you have a good product, something people actually want, they will still buy, especially on a platform like Etsy where buyers already trust the marketplace. Second, reviews will happen naturally as you get sales and create happy customers. It takes time, but it will happen. But if you want to help things along, you can ask for reviews. Now, asking for reviews is a little bit controversial, and there is absolutely a right and a wrong way to do this. So let's break it down. Etsy already prompts buyers to leave reviews through a notification on their home screen. They do not send a message through Etsy or an email, but the people who can't stand those little notification numbers, they'll take care of it. For everyone else, Etsy's nudge may not be enough on its own. Some sellers worry that reaching out on top of Etsy's notifications will feel like too much, that buyers will become annoyed and in turn leave negative reviews. But there's a big difference between piling on with automated messages and multiple follow-ups that sound robotic and sending one thoughtful message that sounds like it came from a real person. After over 8,600 sales between my two shops, I have never once received a bad review or an angry message because of the Etsy notification or because I reached out and asked for feedback. Not once. So while the concern is real, it is absolutely the exception and not the rule. The loudest voices on this topic are either people who did it the wrong way or people repeating advice they've never actually tested. Here's what I recommend if you want to reach out and ask someone to leave a review. Once you verify that the order is delivered, send one follow-up message. The goal is to check in, make sure they're happy, let them know you're available if anything isn't right. Then at the end of that message, mention that you're a new shop and that reviews make a big difference. One message, no follow-up to the follow-up, no reminders. The key is the sequence here. You're leading with the customer first, making sure they're taken care of, and then making a small ask. That's not pushy, that's just good customer service and a really smart business move. You'll probably find that you don't want to do this forever. You may, but it's an extra step. As your shop grows, you'll probably find there are other places you want to spend your time. So do it long enough to build some social proof. After that, let Etsy's reminders and people's natural tendency to leave feedback do the work. Now, a few things you cannot do when asking for a review. You cannot, excuse me, you cannot ask for a five-star review or a positive review. You can ask for a review, but not a specific rating. Also, you cannot tell someone what to say. And you cannot offer any incentives, no discounts, no freebies, nothing in exchange for the feedback. These things violate Etsy policy and FTC guidelines. I put together a few ready-to-use message templates that you can grab and customize for your own shop. You can find them at melissacarroll.co slash episode six resource, or you can click the link in the show notes. But remember, reviews take time. Focus on great products and great customer service, and they will come. If you have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode of What You're Wondering, head to melissacarroll.co slash question or click the link in the show notes to submit. I'll see you next time.